Tips for Using Facebook, Twitter Chats to Engage Buyers

Online engagement has gone prime time. Each night during this fall’s premiere week for CBS, fans have the chance to peek at 15-minute online previews and then use Facebook or Twitter to ask producers real-time questions. A few of the featured shows include Hawaii Five-0, NCIS, and CSI. (For details, see Christina Warren on Mashable.)

How can you launch a Twitter or Facebook chat to engage consumers or B2B buyers?

Take a cue from CBS and host a social network chat of your own. Check out these basic tips for hosting a Twitter or Facebook chat:

Pick a topic.Look for topics that will give value to participants. For instance, you might try an “ask the expert” chat or a discussion of the latest industry news and trends.

Decide on a format.Do you want to allow the discussion to occur organically based on a general topic? Perhaps you’ll ask participants to submit specific questions for you to answer?

Consider tapping expert guests.Build brand credibility by inviting industry or subject matter experts to participate as a moderator or a panelist. Also consider inviting a company employee (such as a product development team member) who isn’t typically in the public eye but is able to provide an “insider’s view.”